Process for the chemical plotting of boundary layer flows, and chemigraphy materials for the practice thereof

Abstract

The chemical plotting of boundary layer flows in liquids with the use of uncompacted, coated, anodically oxidized aluminum surfaces is effected using a colored or uncolored liquid or a coating or pointillization with a substance, preferably a dye, soluble in water or organic media and which can be included or adsorbed in the eloxal layer. The process serves to plot boundary layer flows in water, organic media and oils in a wide temperature range.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for the chemical plotting of boundary layer flows of liquids over a surface, comprising: (a) providing said surface with a colorless, uncompacted or partially compacted anodically oxidizied aluminum layer thereon;   (b) adding to said liquid a visible dye includable and adsorbable in said aluminum layer; and   (c) exposing said surface to the flow of said liquid such that the dye contained therein is adsorbed in said aluminum layer to a degree characteristic of the flow of liquid thereover.   
     
     
       2. A process for the chemical plotting of boundary layer flows of liquids over a surface, comprising: (a) providing said surface with a homogeneously colored, uncompacted or partially compacted anodically oxidized aluminum layer thereon;   (b) providing said liquid with an agent capable of decoloring or altering the color of the colored aluminum layer when in contact therewith; and   (c) exposing said surface to the flow of said liquid such that said colored aluminum layer is decolored or altered in color to a degree characteristic of the flow of the liquid thereover.   
     
     
       3. A process for the chemical plotting of boundary layer flows of liquids over a surface, comprising: (a) providing said surface with an uncompacted or partially compacted anodically oxidized aluminum layer homogeneously colored with a coloring material;   (b) exposing said surface to the flow of said liquid whereby said liquid causes compaction of said aluminum layer to a degree characteristic of the flow of liquid thereover, whereby the coloring material of said layer is immobilized in areas where such compaction occurs; and   (c) treating said surface to remove from said layer coloring material not contained in compacted areas of said layer.   
     
     
       4. A process for the chemical plotting of boundary layer flows of liquids over a surface comprising: (a) providing said surface with a colorless, uncompacted or partially compacted anodically oxidized aluminum layer;   (b) providing said liquid with a dye includable and adsorbable in uncompacted areas of said aluminum layer; and   (c) exposing said surface to the flow of said liquid whereby said liquid causes compaction of said aluminum layer to a degree characteristic of the flow of liquid thereover, and wherein the dye in said liquid becomes included only in uncompacted areas of said aluminum layer.   
     
     
       5. A process for the chemical plotting of boundary layer flows of liquids over a surface, comprising: (a) providing said surface with an uncompacted or partially compacted anodically oxidizied aluminum layer thereon;   (b) thereafter providing said aluminum layer with a predetermined discontinuous pattern of a material containing a dye dissolvable in said liquid and includable in said aluminum layer; and   (c) exposing said surface to the flow of said liquid whereby said material on said aluminum layer is dissolved in said liquid in a proportion characteristic of the flow of said liquid thereover and the dissolved dye then included in said aluminum layer in a manner characteristic of the course of the flowing liquid thereover.   
     
     
       6. The process according to claim 5 wherein said dye-containing material provided on said aluminum layer comprises a dye dissolvable in said liquid and includable in said aluminum layer and a covering composition dissolvable in said liquid, but not includable in said aluminum layer. 
     
     
       7. A process for the chemical plotting of boundary layer flows of liquids over a surface, comprising: (a) providing said surface with an uncompacted or partially compacted anodically oxidized aluminum layer thereon;   (b) thereafter providing said aluminum layer with a predetermined discontinuous pattern of a material containing a dye dissolvable in said liquid and includable in said aluminum layer;   (c) thereafter providing the patterned material on said aluminum layer with a composition slowly dissolvable in said liquid; and   (d) exposing said surface to the flow of said liquid whereby, after first dissolving said composition, said liquid dissolves the dye-containing material on said aluminum layer in a proportion characteristic of the flow of said liquid thereover and the dissolved dye then included in said aluminum layer in a manner characteristic of the course of the flowing liquid thereover.   
     
     
       8. A material for the chemigraphic plotting of boundary layer flows of liquid over a surface comprising a surface-anodized, uncompacted aluminum layer containing a predetermined discontinuous pattern of dye-containing material. 
     
     
       9. A material according to claim 8 further comprising a composition coated over said discontinuous pattern of dye-containing material. 
     
     
       10. A material according to claim 9 wherein said composition consists, by weight, of 2 to 3 parts gelatin, 0.5 parts methyl cellulose and about 60 parts water. 
     
     
       11. A material according to claim 9 wherein said composition consists, by weight, of 50 parts sucrose, 4 parts methyl cellulose and 46 parts water.